Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like today to acknowledge today a community organization that commenced its existence 56 years ago. That is older than most of us in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker. The Yellowknife Board of Trade, today known as the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Speaker, is one of the foundations of this community. They are volunteers, citizens, employers of businesses large and small that all get together to help make our communities work.
Today, there are more than 400 members involved in the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. A week ago, with their president, Dave McPherson, they hosted their 56th Annual General Meeting and President's Banquet. At the time, some of the Chamber's accomplishments over the past year were observed.
Mr. Speaker, the Spring Trade Show was attended by more than 10,000 people. The Chamber is going to host its first Christmas Trade Show in November of this year. The Chamber, Mr. Speaker, is a not-for-profit organization. It is funded entirely by its members. It does not get government dollars. It is the voice of the Yellowknife business community.
Governance for the Chamber is provided by a volunteer board. Many of them are in the gallery today. I will be introducing them later on. They give hours of service, and beyond their own contribution, Mr. Speaker, I think we should acknowledge the willingness of their businesses and their partners, for these people to give their time and their resources. I think it is fitting today, Mr. Speaker, that they were here to listen to the Finance Minister's fiscal update, because it is this kind of involvement and participation that I as an MLA need to do my job.
At their annual meeting, the Chamber honoured a number of outstanding Yellowknife businesses. The Business of the Year award, Mr. Speaker, went to the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, owned by some 3,000 Yellowknife residents. The Businessperson of the Year was awarded posthumously to Karl Lust, of Johnson's Building Supplies. The Mike Piro Award went to Cold Mountain Computing, and I congratulate these businesses for their accomplishments.
Mr. Speaker, a number of Yellowknife Chamber members are also involved in the northern coalition, which is going to be going to Ottawa next week, to lobby on behalf of the whole Territories' future. I congratulate them and wish them luck in the coming year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause